Current affairs relevant to GS2.
India and Ethiopia signed the bilateral accession protocol for Ethiopia's WTO membership in Geneva on 22 May 2026 and deposited it with the WTO Secretariat. India backs developing-country and LDC accessions. Ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership during the PM's Ethiopia visit in December 2025. Ethiopia's Working Party met for the seventh time on 22 to 23 April 2026.
22 May 2026
The Union Health Ministry put Pregabalin under Schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945 via G.S.R. 377(E) dated 13 May 2026 (published 20 May 2026). It moves from Schedule H after State reports of misuse among youth. Retail sale now needs an RMP prescription and a separate sales register; packs must show the Schedule H1 warning.
22 May 2026
During the Cyprus President's State Visit to India from 20 to 23 May 2026, India and Cyprus elevated their Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership. The visit ran during Cyprus's Presidency of the Council of the European Union. MoUs covered counter-terrorism, defence, search and rescue, innovation, higher education, culture and more, with India–EU FTA follow-through flagged.
22 May 2026
India and the African Union agreed on 21 May 2026 to hold the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit later. IAFS IV had been set for 28 to 31 May 2026 in New Delhi. Talks on the evolving health situation in parts of Africa led the shift so leaders could take part fully. India reaffirmed support for Africa CDC-led responses.
21 May 2026
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports published draft amendments to criminalise organised doping activities for public consultation on 21 May 2026. Targets include trafficking, illegal supply, administering banned substances for doping, supply to minors, commercial doping crime, unlabelled sale and paid doping ads. Athletes' ordinary anti-doping rule violations stay outside criminal prosecution. Feedback is invited by 18 June 2026.
21 May 2026
India hosted the first day of the 68th Asian Productivity Organization Governing Body Meeting at Bharat Mandapam on 21 May 2026. India was the outgoing Governing Body Chair; Indonesia's APO Director assumed the Chair for 2026–27. The APO, founded in 1961, has 21 member economies. Closing was set for 22 May 2026.
21 May 2026
India and Italy elevated ties to a Special Strategic Partnership during the PM's visit on 19 to 20 May 2026. They aim for bilateral trade of €20 billion by 2029 and a Foreign Ministers review of the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029. Deliverables include a defence industrial roadmap, a maritime MoU, and Italy's role at Lothal's maritime heritage complex.
20 May 2026
The Third India–Nordic Summit was hosted by Norway with India's Prime Minister joining Nordic leaders. The PM's press statement said bilateral trade with the Nordics rose nearly fourfold over the past ten years. Since October 2025 India has implemented TEPA with Norway, Iceland and other EFTA countries, and recently concluded the India–EU FTA covering Denmark, Finland and Sweden.
19 May 2026
On 18 May 2026 the Ministry of External Affairs said India is deeply concerned at the attack targeting the Barakah nuclear facility in the UAE. It called the actions unacceptable and a dangerous escalation, and urged restraint plus a return to dialogue and diplomacy. The short statement gives no further operational detail.
18 May 2026
Field operations for the Houselisting and Housing Census under Phase I of Census 2027 began in Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and the MCD area of Delhi. Self-Enumeration opened in Gujarat, J&K, Ladakh and Puducherry till 31 May 2026. More than 1.44 crore households across 25 States/UTs have completed Self-Enumeration on se.census.gov.in. Uttar Pradesh Self-Enumeration continues till 21 May 2026.
17 May 2026